US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing

dreamon · Aug 3, 2003

I believe so.... but look at it this way, nurses in the army are officers- so thats a plus.

Here is a link for you:

http://www.dns.amedd.army.mil/crna/Index.htm

Are you already a nurse looking to become a CRNA? I plan to go the military route also. I just got out last April in order to go to college full tima and get my BSN.

seewhiterabbit · Aug 3, 2003

No, actually......I have not even started my BSN program yet! But I am fully ready to in the Spring. After two years there...I want to try to do one year in ICU...then I would possibly like to go to CRNA school....

Now the army thing...well it scares me because I am married. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are married and are in the army together...and well they were separated for like a year and a half....during that year and a half....the wife decided she maybe didn't want to be married to him anymore....

My point is...distance from your spouse is not great...and if I can do nursing without joining the army...I would prefer to because I don't like the idea of the government being in control of where I go....where I live..bla bla bla...

Now if I was not married...then I think I would seriously consider the army...but I am married....I'm going to check out that link.

Thanks.

gotosleep · Aug 3, 2003

yes and yes

seewhiterabbit · Aug 3, 2003

Okay I got the following from the army website:

U.S. Army Graduate Program In Anesthesia Nursing

"This program, offered to individuals interested in pursuing nurse anesthesia, is similar to the USUHS, but your didactic instruction will take place at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. To qualify, you must be selected for appointment in the Army Nurse Corps prior to competing for selection in the program. The program includes one year of didactic instruction at Fort Sam and one and a half years of clinical practice at a large Army medical treatment facility.

If you qualify for this program, you'll receive the full pay and allowances commensurate with your rank, and the Army will pay all of your tuition expenses. Your textbook fees will be reimbursable up to $300. Your active-duty service obligation is 54 months."

Hmm...I still am not exactly clear...Before you can go into this program...I am guessing obviously that you have to be in the army...and you have to go through "basic trianing" well I wonder how long all that takes....and what about my husband...where is he...when do I get to see him...?

And those 54 months...54 months of service? What kind of service...? as a CRNA? at what pay? Do I get paid as a CRNA....I guess I would...but...I guess I need to talk to an army recruiter..or something....

oh well........

dreamon · Aug 3, 2003

Yeah I know what you mean... My husband and I met in the Army..we got married then he left for Korea for a whole year. It was tough. I felt very alone and got depressed at times. But he's back now, and has been back for 6 months. But he will be reclassing next year- and will be gone for another 6 or 7 months.

Separation is not easy at all. But we are both young people and we have stuck together so far. I hear people complaining about their spouse being away for less than a month, and they want to cry divorce.

But to each their own, I intend to survive the separations with my marriage intact. Even though I will be going back in the army, my husband will be out by then- so that will easier than both of us at the mercy of 'Uncle Sam'.

LOL

dreamon · Aug 3, 2003

Here is another link for u to check out while I answer your other questions:

http://healthcare.goarmy.com/sixcorps/nurscorp/

dreamon · Aug 3, 2003

Before you even get to the school in San Antonio... You will be an officer, more than likely a Captain at least. (It takes most officers 4 years to make CPT)

But your basic training won't be like what I went through. A 'gentlemans course' is what I heard someone call it. So that should mean no screaming drill sergeants, even though you will have to do physical training everyday and learn all your officer duties.

I believe it is more an educational course, since you will have classes and stuff. But I don't think it is as strenuous as boot camp. But I'm sure its nothing to just shake a stick at either. I will gather some more info for you from someone who is in it now.

The course is 14 weeks, but I hear it might be longer in the future. You will be able to speak to your husband on the phone..lol

He might be able to see you if he is down there at Ft Benning (at his own expense of course). But I am not sure about that...you might not be able to see him until the very end of the course, if at all.

As long as there isn't a war going on, you should be stationed at a hospital in the U.S., or in Korea or Germany. Also there is a 6 month rotation some have to do in Bosnia. I heard it isn't too bad I know alot of people who went over there.

Maybe you will get even more lucky and be stationed in Japan or Italy. (I dont know if you like to live in other countries though)

But I only know of 2 people who were stationed there.

But yes, you will be a CRNA...mostly likely with 0-4 rank or higher.

You husband will live with you, unless he has a job keeping him somewhere else. A tour in Germany is 2 years if you went by yourself... 3 years if he goes with you.

Korea is 18 months IF you get to take him with you. Families are 'command sponsered' over there. You must apply and see if there is space. Not all the Camps in Korea can accomadate families. You can bring him, but you will have to pay rent off post in KOREA itself, since he will not be able to stay on the base.

I think your pay will be around 90,000+, which is great but it will still be less than if you where a civilian. But the army has a few perks in addition to its downsides.

Anymore questions let me know..... :)

P.S.

Hi gotosleep..... hope training is going good still!

gaspassah · Aug 3, 2003

i would debate the 90,000k pay, if you look at the army's website for pay 2003, and army capt makes about 2500 per month plus a little here and there for housing, etc. you do NOT get paid CRNA pay as you would in the real world, you get army capt pay whether you are a medical capt, motor pool, or combat. actually combat pays 150 dollars more a month if you are in a positioin to be fired on or in hostile environments...or something like that. please talk indepth with a recruiter before joining. also you are picked by commanding officers to go to anesthesia school. you dont just get to apply and go if picked. i have been looking at the reserves and it sounds pretty good, especially if you are already accepted to an accredited aana school. in the reserves if you are a civilian crna and make 150,000 per year and are activated and sent to korea as an example your pay drops to your rank pay, ie first or secong lt 2400 dollars per month. big difference.

this is a link to army pay, its pdf.

http://www.dfas.mil/money/milpay/pay/2003paytable.pdf

O-1 is first lt starts at 2100 per month.

0-2 second lt etc.

smiling_ru · Aug 3, 2003

You will not go directly from your BSN program to anesthesia school.

Here is a general time line

Finish your BSN enter the military as a 1st LT. (lowest ranking officer) This is where your pay scale will be (O1)

You can apply to the CRNA program, but you will need command recommendations. The chance that you, as a new grad will get that as compared to more senior officers is low. If by chance you do get them you will still be competing with officers who have been in nursing and the military a lot longer than you. And rank definately has it's privelages so I am sure it is considered in the selection process.

I guess what I am trying to say is that going in the military will not guarantee a slot in their CRNA program. At least as a civilian you have every school in the country to choose from.

dreamon · Aug 3, 2003

Sorry about the misinformation with the pay--seewhiterabbit--

I saw the 90,000 qouted in one of the other CRNA forums. But your best bet is to look at the link above that provides military pay. But I heard of others getting sign on bonuses in addition to their contract, i guess depending on how bad the army needs you.

I was planning to go through the military to become a CRNA, like what you are looking into,but not anymore because of the years and years of hoping to get picked by the command.

By the advice of another member of this website, I plan to re-enlist after I gain admission into CRNA school. I have done the army thing once, I figure I can do another 5 years again for a second time. Then move on to other things.

JJFROG · Aug 3, 2003

I was an Army nurse for 4 years, feel free to PM me with your questions. I have several friends who have done the anesthesia program. It is an intense 2 years, but there is no other program like it. High stress, hard academics and you will be expected to stay in peak physical condition. Don't forget your main purpose is to be ready for war.